3 Tips to Age Gracefully

Aging gracefully is a goal of many, yet it seems to be one that is hard to achieve without resorting to plastic surgery or other drastic measures. Fortunate for those who are not excited about being poked, prodded, or spending copious amounts of money to alter their body there are certain preventative measures that can be taken. Here are three tips that can aid in holding onto youth and aging with grace.

1. Eat a fair amount of protein daily. After the age of thirty, muscle mass begins to decrease by up to 8% per decade! Because muscle burns calories, most people find that it is not as easy to burn calories once they are in their thirties, and therefore tend to notice some weight gain. Eating a diet rich in protein it will help the body to preserve muscle mass.

2. Drink plenty of water. Research has proven that as people age, their sense of thirst begins to deplete. This can lead to dehydration which can take a toll on the skin and cause. Make sure to drink at least eight glasses of water daily and eat a diet rich in foods such as watermelon, celery, cucumber, and other water filled vegetables and fruit will maintain hydration. As green tea contains high amounts of antioxidants, it is a great choice as well.

3. Stick to the outskirts of the grocery store when shopping. Most grocery stores are laid out in the same way-the canned goods and processed foods are generally in the middle of the store, with the outsides being the place they stock produce, some frozen foods, milk and other dairy products, and whole grains. Of course some canned foods such as beans or canned veggies are ok, but for the most part your food should be the fresh variety and not come from a can. Staying away from the “core” of the grocery store will help you to eat right, nourish your body, and stay looking young and youthful.

Although there is no miracle drug for staying young there are definitely preventative measures that can be taken to slow down the aging process. Diet, exercise, sleep, hydration, and vitamins such as A, C, and E will sustain youthfulness.